4.5 month old kitten ate woven/papery tail of toy mouse. Should I go to the ER vet?

[hoobie67]

My 17 week old kitten was playing with a toy mouse like the one at this link: https://www.chewy.com/smartykat-ski...e=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V0apn44qyV1ajRAQpBzR6lOA

When I came back into the room after a few hours, I noticed the mouse on the floor with parts of the tail chewed up, only the tip (with the knot) and about 1/3 of the tail was found. I’m assuming he ate the rest. The tail is a papery material that rips apart easily when wet.

I called the vet, who said to monitor him for signs of obstruction like vomiting, no appetite, straining in the litterbox and lack of bowel movement.

I’m really really nervous. I had to take his brother to the ER vet earlier this year after eating an elastic cord from a pair of new sandals, they were thankfully able to induce vomiting and get the whole cord out in one piece.

Should I just continue to monitor, or take him to the ER vet? Logically, I feel like the smaller amount, type of material and the fact that it appears he chewed it before ingesting might mean he will pass it with no issues, but my anxiety is telling me I need to panic.

What would you do?

 

[purrtinent]

With a papery material he should be able to pass it without any problem, it will just be digested. Cats sometimes eat paper ... The real danger is when they eat a (long) string, something like hemp rope, which can make a knot in the intestines and create a blockage. If it happened a few hours ago it's too late to induce vomiting, you should monitor him for at least 24 hours, and if there are any unusual symptoms take him to the ER. If you can shred the tail material easily with your hand i don't see how it could cause a blockage.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I tend to agree with the above. From what you said, it is not even big enough to be checking for it in his stool.

 

[stephanietx]

I would watch for signs of blockage, vomiting and no poop. Otherwise, watch the litter box and see if he passes it, but most likely with it being papery, he'll be okay.

 

[purrtinent]

H hoobie67 How is your kitten doing, everything alright ?

 

[hoobie67]

H hoobie67 How is your kitten doing, everything alright ?

He is doing great! Ate breakfast this morning, drank water, now is running around playing with his brother and sister. All 3 of my cats pooped last night and are acting normally! I didn’t see any debris in any of the poops in the litter box, so hoping it was digested and passed.

Thanks for your reply!